GREENWICH, Conn., Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gabelli Funds will host its 17th Annual Specialty Chemicals Symposium in Midtown Manhattan, New York City on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The event will feature discussions with leading companies and organizations across the specialty chemicals ecosystem, with an emphasis on industry dynamics, current trends, and business fundamentals, as well as Specialty Chemicals investing. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one meetings with ...

Core Viewpoint - Lithium prices remain significantly below the historical highs reached in 2023, but have been rising in recent months due to supply disruptions in China and strong demand, with further increases expected [1] Price Trends - Lithium spodumene and lithium hydroxide prices have increased by approximately 35% year-to-date, with spodumene prices more than doubling since late June and lithium hydroxide prices increasing by over 100% [1] Supply Chain Issues - China's lithium supply continues to be adversely affected by environmental inspections and permit suspensions, contributing to the price increases [1] - The demand for lithium is bolstered by cathode material producers replenishing inventory ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday [1] Demand Outlook - The demand outlook for lithium remains optimistic, with energy storage systems performing better than expected [1] Related Stocks - Relevant U.S. stocks in the lithium sector include Albemarle (ALB.US), Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM.US), Lithium Americas (LAC.US), Lithium Argentina (LAR.US), Sigma Lithium (SGML.US), and Standard Lithium (SLI.US) [1]

Core Insights - Standard Lithium Ltd. (NYSE:SLI) is recognized as one of the top lithium and battery stocks to invest in currently [1] Group 1: Project Financing and Interest - Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium Ltd. and Equinor, has received interest for over $1 billion in project financing from three significant Export Credit Agencies [2] - Phase 1 of the South West Arkansas Project will be financed through more than $1 billion in senior secured project debt from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and Export Finance Norway [2] Group 2: Recent Achievements and Developments - The latest quarterly results for Standard Lithium Ltd. highlighted the achievement of important milestones, including the release of a Maiden Inferred Resource for the Franklin Project in East Texas, noted for its high lithium-in-brine grades [3] - A Definitive Feasibility Study for the SWA Project confirmed its cost-competitiveness, and a capital raise was completed to advance the Franklin and other East Texas projects, as well as the final investment decision at SWA [3] Group 3: Future Expectations - Standard Lithium Ltd. anticipates finalizing project funding, securing customer offtake agreements, selecting key vendors for SWA, and approving the final investment decision to commence construction in 2026 [4] - As of January 21, 2026, the stock has increased by 3.35% year-to-date [4]

Industry Overview - Energy storage technologies are expected to significantly increase lithium demand, surpassing electric vehicle demand by 2026 as utility-scale batteries become a major consumer [2] - Lithium prices have recovered 50% from June lows but remain less than one-sixth of late-2022 levels [2] - UBS projects a 55% increase in lithium demand from storage in 2026, compared to a 19% rise from electric vehicles [3] Company Insights - **Standard Lithium Ltd. (NYSE:SLI)**: - Number of hedge fund holders: 8 - Analysts' upside potential as of January 21: 2.90% - The company is involved in a joint venture for the Smackover Lithium project, with over $1 billion in financing secured [9][10] - Anticipates finalizing project funding and commencing construction in 2026 [11] - **Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML)**: - Number of hedge fund holders: 15 - Analysts' upside potential as of January 21: 24.22% - Recent operational updates have been deemed insignificant by analysts, with a potential equity raising on the horizon [13] - Net revenue increased by 69% quarter over quarter and 36% year over year, attributed to commercial partnerships [14]

Investment Thesis - The mineral industry, particularly rare earth minerals and lithium, is highlighted as a capital-intensive market with varying winners [1] - Lithium is identified as a crucial driver for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with a significant demand forecasted [1] - Standard Lithium (SLI) is recommended as a Strong Buy due to its trading at a discount to future cash flows and potential for growth by 2026 [1] Stock Performance - SLI's stock price has shown a strong uptrend, breaking the $5 level and establishing it as a support level [2] - In comparison to competitors like Lithium Americas (LAC) and Piedmont Lithium (PLLTL), SLI has outperformed, with LAC and PLLTL experiencing declines of 46.2% and 99.84% over five years, respectively [2] - The performance of SLI is attributed to its asset base and the potential of the Smackover Formation [2]

Core Viewpoint - Technip Energies is highlighted as a strong investment opportunity in the oilfield services sector due to its broad revenue base and lack of geographical concentration [1]. Company Overview - Technip Energies operates in the oilfield services industry, providing a diverse range of services that are not limited to specific regions, making it a potentially stable investment choice [1]. Analyst Background - The analysis is conducted by an experienced analyst with over 14 years in stock analysis, focusing on the energy sector for the past 7 years, particularly in oilfield equipment services [1].

Core Viewpoint - Fitch predicts that despite lithium prices rebounding to over $11,500 per ton in late November (a 38% increase for the second half of 2025), a weak price trend will persist until 2026 due to multiple complex factors affecting production in a fragmented and maturing market [1] Supply and Demand Dynamics - Fitch expects the lithium market to remain oversupplied in 2026 unless there are significant and sustained capacity reductions. Wood Mackenzie forecasts that the surplus of battery-grade lithium chemicals will expand to 153,000 tons (in lithium carbonate equivalent) by 2026 and further to 207,000 tons in 2027 [2] - The short-term supply-demand balance is contingent on supply reductions, influenced by lagging electric vehicle demand and ongoing policy uncertainties [2] Stock Performance - Year-to-date, lithium-related stocks have shown mixed performance. Canadian lithium developer Standard Lithium (SLI.US) has seen its stock price increase by nearly 250%, while larger producers like Lithium Americas (LAC.US) and Sociedad Química y Minera (SQM.US) have also achieved significant gains. In contrast, industry giants like Albemarle (ALB.US) have underperformed amid weak lithium prices and increased sector volatility [2] - The Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF has risen 56% year-to-date, partly driven by tariff and trade war-related news [2] Supply Chain Dynamics - The rapidly changing battery technology market, including alternative materials to lithium, may erode expected stable demand. China remains the largest end market (accounting for 64% of total demand) and a dominant processing center, with new market entrants forming strategic partnerships with governments to secure key mineral resources [4] Capital Allocation Discipline - Lithium producers tracked by Fitch are prioritizing balance sheet resilience and rating buffer space before 2026. Albemarle (rated BBB- with a stable outlook) has issued convertible bonds to repay through stock issuance during market upcycles. Sociedad Química y Minera (rated AA(cl)) is responding to pressures by slowing growth capital expenditures and limiting free cash flow consumption [4] - Mineral Resources (MALRF.US) (rated BB- with a stable outlook) has sold a 15% stake in its lithium assets to raise cash for early debt repayment while cutting capital expenditures [4] M&A Opportunities - The challenging industry environment continues to create opportunities for capital-strong large mining companies seeking to diversify their businesses or secure key mineral resources. For instance, Rio Tinto (RIO.US) has been active in lithium project opportunities and is nearing entry into the top five global lithium producers, narrowing the gap with Albemarle and Sociedad Química y Minera [5]

Core Viewpoint - Standard Lithium's shares increased over 6% in early trading due to developments in China regarding lithium mining permits [1]. Group 1: Market Reaction - The Bureau of Natural Resources in Yichun, Jiangxi Province, plans to cancel 27 lithium mining permits, leading to a sharp increase in lithium prices in China by approximately 7.6% [3]. - The cancellation of these permits has spurred significant price spikes among global lithium miners, although analysts believe the impact on supply will be minimal since the revoked permits were for non-operational mines [3][6]. Group 2: Company Performance - Standard Lithium currently does not produce lithium and has no revenue or profit expected before 2028, with annual losses around $187 million [5]. - Despite the positive market reaction, the theoretical importance of the permit cancellations to Standard Lithium is limited until the company begins actual production [5]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - Analysts from The Motley Fool Stock Advisor have identified 10 stocks they believe are better investment opportunities than Standard Lithium, indicating caution for potential investors [5].

Core Viewpoint - Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, is actively pursuing project financing for the South West Arkansas Project, with expressions of interest exceeding $1 billion from major Export Credit Agencies [1][5] Project Financing Overview - The total estimated capital expenditures for the SWA Project are $1.45 billion, with a financing package of up to $1.1 billion being sought [4][7] - The financing will consist of an ECA Financing package and an uncovered tranche of senior secured project debt from commercial banks [2][3] - A $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy has been awarded to support the project [7] Market Interest and Engagement - Smackover Lithium has received multiple expressions of interest from global commercial banks, validating the project's financial assumptions and terms [3] - The interest from export credit agencies and commercial lenders indicates a strong market demand for financing in lithium production [5] Strategic Importance - The project is positioned as a low-cost and sustainable source of lithium production in the United States, highlighting its strategic importance in the energy sector [5] - The company aims to reach a Final Investment Decision as soon as practical to move the project into construction [5]

Company Overview - Lithium Royalty Corp. focuses on investing in the battery materials sector, particularly lithium companies, and currently holds 37 royalties in its portfolio [2] - The company had its IPO in March 2023 and now has 4 cash-flowing royalties [2] - Standard Lithium is a near-commercial lithium company dedicated to the sustainable development of high-grade lithium-ion properties in the U.S. [3] Leadership and Expertise - Ernie Ortiz, CEO of Lithium Royalty Corp., has a background as an investment analyst at a hedge fund and was a Senior Associate at Credit Suisse, where he led the bank's primer on lithium in 2014 [2] - David Park, CEO of Standard Lithium, has extensive experience in the energy and industrial sectors, having previously served as President of KSP and played a key role in securing a partnership with Equinor [3]